layered by cake Archives | Dressed For Time | Top Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle Blog Tips | Best Popular Chic Fall & Winter Style Outfit Inspiration in Chicago

Celebrating Besties with Efy Tal

June 14, 2017

Hello, loves!
For today’s post, I want to talk about something that I think is not done often enough, and that’s recognizing how amazing of our best friends are. Whether you have that one girlfriend that you’re super close with or a bevy of lovely ladies who you count as besties, it’s so important to celebrate them, and with more than a round of drinks!
My best friends have nursed me through breakups, helped me move, been there for me when times were generally crappy (being broke, single, and jobless? Yeah, only a true friend will stand beside you through all that!) But my friends are also the ones I want to tell first whenever something good happens, and ask them to celebrate with me any successes or hurdles I’ve overcome.
Besides the typical birthday or holiday gift, I think it’s so important to show your girls how much they mean to you, and I love the idea of bringing back friendship jewelry! I’m referring, of course, to the refined and completely grown-up version of the rainbow plastic and jagged heart iterations of our youth, and I love that they can still be customized to fit everyone’s personalities.
The selection at Efy Tal can not be beat for friendship jewelry, and I love that nearly every offering is under $50. I chose for my gorgeous friend Sarah and myself the Dainty Gold and Pearl Eternity Circle Bracelet, and the Asymmetrical Infinity Gold and Turquoise bracelet, respectively, to model for this post. Sarah instantly fell in love with them, and I will say, I could definitely see myself wearing both styles as well! Most pieces are available in silver and gold, with fun accents like a pearl or beads, and the bracelets have a delicate little charm and crystal where you affix them, an added detail I think is so special. This is something in the not-too-distant future to consider as well, but these are absolutely gifts that I would get for all of my bestie bridesmaids when the time comes.
If you’re interested in shopping Efy Tal for your best friends or yourself (no shame in that!), they’re offering a 30% off code to all of my subscribers with code “DRESSEDFORTIME” at checkout.

Bracelets c/o Efy Tal Jewelry // Sarah’s look / Model’s own // Floral Top / Layered by Cake // Jeans / Old Navy // Sandals / Old Navy // Glasses / EyeBuyDirect

Shot by Holli Z Photography.

This post was sponsored by Efy Tal Jewelry. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or purchasing items through them may provide me with a small commission.

October Stitch Fix

November 1, 2016

Hello, loves!
Welcome to my October Stitch Fix, filled with the colors of fall.. Rich burgundy, forest green, navy and grey. This time around, I requested dark pants, a moody floral piece, a comfy grey cardigan, a midi skirt and a fun piece of my stylist’s choosing. I was thrilled with everything I received, with the exception of the comfy sweater. For me, it seemed too casual, as do most things with hoods. Spoiler alert, I kept everything this round! I was considering sending back just the sweater, but it made more financial sense to keep it all, so I could partake in the 25% discount and I can always bundle up in the sweater when it’s chilly out.

Top & Cords / Stitch Fix // Scarf & Sunnies / Layered by Cake // Flats / BCBGeneration
Top $48 & Cords $68, both kept. Enter one of the most versatile blouses ever! I can pair it with virtually any bottom, and layer a sweater or scarf on top. It’s a great basic piece to have in my closet. The cords I wasn’t so sure about until I tried them on. The rich color and great fit made me change my mind, and I realized they were actually quite versatile as well.

Top / Stitch Fix // Skirt / H&M // Clutch / Forever 21 // Flats / Louise et Cie // Necklace / BaubleBar
Blouse, $54, kept. Loved the print on this top and the detail around the neck. It does mean that I can’t wear a regular bra, and I hate wearing strapless bras, but for this top, I’ll make an exception.

Hooded sweater / Stitch Fix // Top / Old Navy // Jeans / MaviUSA from Stitch Fix // Flats / Mossimo // Sunglasses / Layered by Cake
Sweater, $54, kept. Like I said, I wasn’t initially sold on this hooded waterfall cardigan, but it is a great piece to just throw on with some loose-fitting pants and a tank on the weekend. A little too casual for me to wear out on a regular basis, but soooo comfy.

Top & Skirt / Stitch Fix // Clutch / Who What Wear for Target // Booties / Forever 21 // Bracelet / Fab.com / Necklace / LA find
Skirt, $48, kept. This skirt was similar to another knit pencil skirt sent to me in one of my first fixes, shown here and here. That one had tones of slate blue, navy and cream. This material has a slightly different color way, also incorporating burnt red and olive, and I’ve already found so many different pairings for it.

Overall, a great fix. I have worn the black top seriously so many times, and the skirt multiple times as well. The cords are just a touch warm for me still, but I look forward to wearing them in the upcoming months. Next time, I’m looking for a dark blazer, another moody floral piece (can you tell I’m obsessed?!), an everyday pair of jeans and a shirtdress to pair with leggings/tights.
If you’re interested in signing up for Stitch Fix, click on my link here.

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or making a purchase may provide me with a small commission. That’s part of what helps keep Dressed for Time going. I would never recommend a company or brand that I don’t personally use (I pay for Stitch Fix’s myself) and enjoy.

September Stitch Fix

October 8, 2016

Welcome to my September Stitch Fix!
This month, I requested from my stylist a grey sweater, a midi dress, colored jeans, a trench coat, and another fun item of my stylist’s choosing. I mostly got what I asked for, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. The trench was a darker blue, not quite navy, which I actually appreciated it being in a non-standard shade, and it was still very versatile. When playing around with outfit possibilities it went with nearly everything I paired it with! The only major downside was that it wrinkled like CRAZY. I don’t feel like carrying my steamer around with me, so back it went. I was wanting a more neutral, chunky knit grey cardigan, instead I got a 3/4 sleeve, lightweight printed version. Still super cute and I thought it paired perfectly with white denim. The wildcard item was a lace strappy tank. It was a little too festival-season for us to be going in to fall, so it also went back. Read on to check out the rest of my September Stitch Fix.

Trench & Skirt / StitchFix // Sleeveless top / Elizabeth & Clarke // Necklace / Rocksbox (use code “kristinbff320” for your first month free) // Flats / Louise et Cie // Sunnies / Layered by Cake
Trench, $88, returned.

Cardigan / StitchFix // Tank / Forever 21 // Cropped denim / Old Navy // Clutch / Scarlet Threads Consignment // Booties / Target // Bracelet / Kendra Scott via Rocksbox (use code “kristinbff320 for 1 free month)
You’ll recognize this look from my last post. I love this piece because it’s so soft, has fun fringe detailing at the bottom, and it’s the perfect “throw it on over a tank and jeans and go” item to make an outfit complete. This one was a keeper. Cardigan, kept, $54.

This midi dress just really isn’t my style at all. I’m not drawn to the print or the halter neckline, and the fit was way off. Dress, $68, returned.

Do you see what I mean about the Coachella-worthiness of this top? It’s just not my thing, plus it was a very small large. Tank, $54, returned.

Another permanent on my wishlist is colored bottoms. These were definitely more purple than burgundy, and I didn’t see these as getting much use this fall and winter. Jeans, $88, returned.

All in all, I ended up keeping just the cardigan. Next time, I’m going to ask my stylist again for another grey cardigan or sweater, something more cozy and chunky knit. I’m also in the mood for a new crossbody bag or maybe a pretty print scarf.

If you’re interested in trying out Stitch Fix for yourself, feel free to use my referral link. I get a commission if you sign up, but know that I wouldn’t recommend a service that I wasn’t personally using and loving myself.

Date Night BohoChic

March 15, 2016

Hello loves!
Sad news to report… Mark and I were still so sick over the weekend that we had to miss the Natural Products West Expo 🙁 yesterday. I haven’t missed this event since I started attending, I believe 7 years ago! It’s where I learn about all of the amazing new products from natural skincare brands, tasty organic food, and exciting new makeup lines.
Since I was unable to attend this year, I had my proxy, my mother, stop by all of the beauty brands and report back! She owns a gift basket business, so she was also there checking out things for her store, but was kind enough to grab some palettes, skincare items, and lip colors for me to review. As soon as I’ve tested everything out, I will definitely be posting my thoughts and pictures on here!
Today’s look is a perfect mix of laid-back and glammed up. I’m loving airy, crossover blouses and ripped-knee jeans for summer, and paired with slick black accessories, this outfit is taken from pretty casual to date-night worthy. The lower neckline is the perfect backdrop to highlight this gorgeous lariat necklace from Gorjana, by way of Rocksbox. In case you haven’t heard, Rocksbox is a monthly subscription service that sends you 3 designer jewelry pieces for only $19 a month. So far, I’ve received everything from statement necklaces covered in crystals, to delicate gold layering rings, to geometric cuff bracelets. If you decide to sign up, use the code dressedfortimexoxo for your first month free.
Also, be sure to check out the giveaway that I’m co-hosting here on the blog, there’s still plenty of time to enter!

Top c/o BohoCheri // Jeans / Old Navy // Heels / Ivanka Trump // Clutch / vintage // Necklace / Gorjana c/o Rocksbox // Sunglasses / Layered by Cake / Rings / LA finds

Pictures shot by Holli Zenko Photography.